davepickering

Casting search for first ever Scottish voice to feature on video doorbells

Ring teams up with Scottish presenter Edith Bowman for its ‘Voice of the Nation’ search launching in Edinburgh’s St James Quarter to find the Scottish voice of its Ring Video Doorbell messages
It’s the first time Ring will include a member of the public’s voice on its devices
Launch celebrates the 76% of people from Edinburgh that are proud of how welcoming the Scottish accent sounds, with 44% in UK agreeing it’s one of the friendliest

Ring is on the hunt to find the first ever Scottish voice of its devices. The smart home security company is launching its Voice of the Nation casting search across Scotland in a first for the brand.

Ring is holding auditions at St James Quarter in Edinburgh’s city centre to find one lucky Scot who will record a set of audio messages, called ‘Quick Replies’, that will be available across all Ring Video Doorbells in the UK later this year.

Ring’s Quick Replies are available on all Ring Video Doorbells and act as an answering machine for the door. Once activated, and someone rings the doorbell, the visitor will hear a pre-selected greeting with the option to leave a message.

The search comes as new research from Ring reveals the Scottish accent is one of the most endearing in the UK, with 44% of people agreeing it’s one of the friendliest. Over three quarters (76%) of those from the capital are proud of how welcoming the Scottish accent sounds.

Edinburgh residents can audition by simply sharing a video of themselves saying a popular Ring Doorbell Quick Reply: “We can’t answer the door right now, but if you’d like to leave a message, you can do it now.” and post on TikTok or Instagram, share through their Ring device and Ring app, or attend an in-person audition held at St James Quarter on 31 August and 1 September.

The search will be judged by a panel which will include Scottish radio DJ and television presenter, Edith Bowman, who will help select Ring’s ‘Voice of the Nation’. It’s the first time Ring has worked with a member of the public to voice its Video Doorbell Quick Replies, and the first time a Scottish accent will be heard on Ring Video Doorbells.

Edith Bowman said: “I’m so excited to launch Ring’s ‘Voice of the Nation’, as I am fiercely proud of my accent and the Scottish accent generally. One of the things I love is the variety of regional identities.

“It has beautiful rhythm and personality and each has its own unique tone and quality – something I’m thrilled is being celebrated with Ring’s campaign.

!I can’t wait to judge the entries and would love to see lots of energy and enthusiasm from those auditioning!”

Ring’s recent survey of 2,000 UK consumers also found that Edinburgh locals prefer their own accent to anywhere else in the UK (25%), with almost a quarter feeling this way because it reminded them of home (24%).

If they had the choice of hearing a famous Scot on their smart devices, almost a quarter (24%) of people from Edinburgh would like Billy Connolly, with 16% opting for Ewan McGregor. Almost 15% of Edinburgh residents said David Tennant would be their top choice for voicing their Ring Video Doorbell.

The research also revealed the following opinions:

Over a third (36%) of Brits said the Scottish accent has calming qualities, and 34% find it attractive.
Edinburgh locals think their playful cheekiness wins them points, with 65% saying the Scottish accent sounds charming.
Half of the capital’s residents say the Scottish accent lends itself well to comedians, with over half saying it sounds humorous (53%).
Of the regional dialects in Scotland, the Lothian accent was voted the favourite accent to voice their smart home tech amongst people from Edinburgh (39%).

Dave Ward, Managing Director EU & International at Ring, said: “Ring’s Quick Replies are a much-loved feature on our Video Doorbells.

“Many customers use them to instruct delivery drivers where to leave packages, or inform visitors they need more time to answer the door.

“Given the importance of these messages, we wanted to ensure our Quick Replies featured familiar and local accents and celebrated regional dialects around the world. We’re thrilled to begin in Scotland and can’t wait to hear a Scot on our Video Doorbells across the nation.”

Auditions will officially open form Wednesday 21st August at 12 pm. Members of the public can share a video of their recorded audition on TikTok by posting their clip with #RingVoiceoftheNation, or on Instagram by sharing and tagging @RingUK alongside #RingVoiceoftheNation.

Those with a Ring device and Ring Protect can enter by recording themselves filming their greeting on a Ring device, pressing the ‘Share’ button on the Ring app and choosing ‘Share with Ring’.

In addition to St James Quarter in Edinburgh on 31 August and 1September from 10am-6pm, Ring’s Voice of the Nation pop-up auditions will visit:

Union Square in Aberdeen: Saturday 7 September and Sunday 8 September 10am-4pm
Silverburn Shopping Centre in Glasgow: Saturday 14 September and Sunday 15 September 10am-4pm

For full casting details please, check out this Ring blog.

MND Scotland announces exciting motor neuron disease research learning event in Edinburgh

MND Scotland is proud to announce a free interactive and educational research event taking place on 26 September 2024, 2pm at Bonnie and Wild Marketplace, St James’ Quarter, designed to bring together people affected by motor neuron disease (MND) and local MND Scotland researchers.

The Lived Experience and Researcher Network (LEARN) is a project first run by MND Scotland in 2023. The 2023 pilot invited people with MND to take tours of researcher’s labs and provided useful feedback to improve engagement events for people with MND and researchers.

This year, MND Scotland’s research team has organised a series of local events in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen to build relationships between researchers and people affected by MND and allow them to share knowledge and experiences.

At the Edinburgh event, there will be an opportunity to allow people with MND, carers, family and supporters to meet and engage with local MND researchers, to learn more about their work, and hear from presenting researchers Prof Tom Gillingwater, Dr Hannah Smith, Andrea Salzinger and Dr Marcus Keatinge.

Paul Jensen, research lead for MND Scotland, said: “As a charity that directly supports people living with this devastating disease, it’s so important to be able to provide these opportunities to allow researchers and people affected by MND to come together and get to know one another.

“People are so keen to hear about the fantastic MND research going on in Scotland and our events will provide that learning opportunity in a relaxed and personal environment.”

MND Scotland supports the idea that the input and viewpoints of those with lived experience is vital to help guide research.

Paul added: “MND Scotland is now at the forefront of involving those with lived experience in research funding calls. We know it is so important that both scientific merit and opinions of those with lived experience are used to help ensure we fund the best MND research.

“Our LEARN events will help build relationships between people affected by MND and researchers and allow them to share their opinions to help guide MND research in the future.”

The informative and engaging event will explore the latest developments in research for those affected by MND and hopes to build relationships between those with lived experience and researchers to make sure that research reflects the needs of people with or affected by MND.

MND Scotland invites those interested in th researceh learning event to hear more about their contribution in the fight against MND.

Event details:

Date: 26 September 2024, 2pm
Location: Bonnie and Wild Marketplace, St James’ Quarter Level 4, St James Cres, Edinburgh EH1 3AD
Organiser: MND Scotland

For more information or to register, please visit the MND Scotland website:

www.mndscotland.org.uk/events

Star Wars?

UK Space Command launches first military satellite

A UK satellite to support military operations successfully launched into space last night.

Named Tyche, the satellite is UK Space Command’s first satellite which can capture daytime images and videos of the Earth’s surface. 

The satellite will strengthen the UK’s Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.  

As the conflict in Ukraine has shown, the use of space is crucial to military operations. Tyche is the first satellite to be launched under the Ministry of Defence’s space-based ISR programme, which will deliver a constellation of satellites and supporting ground systems by 2031.  

These satellites will not only support military operations, but also contribute to other government tasks, including natural disaster monitoring, the development of mapping information, environmental monitoring and tracking the impact of climate change around the world.  

Designed and built in the UK through a £22 million contract awarded by Defence Equipment & Support to Surrey Satellites Technology Limited (SSTL), Tyche is the first satellite to be fully owned by the Ministry of Defence.

SSTL received the first signals from Tyche – which is comparable in size to a washing machine – a few hours after lift-off, confirming the successful launch.

Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Maria Eagle said:  ““Tyche will provide essential intelligence for military operations as well as supporting wider tasks across government.

“Tyche also shows the UK’s commitment to support innovation in science and technology, stimulating growth across the sector and supporting highly skilled jobs in the UK.” 

UK Space Commander, Major General Paul Tedman said:  “This is a fabulous day for UK space.

“The successful launch of Tyche has shown that UK Space Command, and its essential partners across defence and industry, can rapidly take a concept through to the delivery of a satellite capability on orbit.

“Tyche represents the first of a future constellation of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance satellites that we’ll launch over the coming years.”  

“I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate everybody involved with Tyche and thank them for their support.” 

Paul Russell, DE&S Space Team Leader, said: “Working closely with UK Space Command, Dstl and industry to understand how to deliver in a new, complex and critical environment has been an exciting journey.

“To see Tyche – the first of a new generation of UK military capabilities – delivered into orbit is an incredibly proud moment and a tribute to everyone’s commitment to this key project.”

Operating in Low Earth Orbit over a five-year lifespan, Tyche will provide timely space-based imagery in support of the UK Armed Forces.  The design and build of the 150-kilogramme satellite has supported around 100 high-skilled roles at SSTL since 2022.  

Tyche was launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, by SpaceX, on their re-usable Falcon 9 rocket, as part of the ‘Transporter 11’ mission.

TONIGHT: Tea-time Cuppa with a Councillor!

Do you have questions, concerns, or ideas about our community? Your voice matters!

Join Stuart Dobbin, SNP Councillor for Forth Ward for an informal Twilight Drop-in session tonight Monday 19th of August from 5pm to 6:30pm at Pilton Community Health Project.

This is great opportunity to chat about local issues, share your thoughts. Whether you are looking to discuss specific concerns or just want to stop by and say hello.

Feel free to drop-in anytime during this session – no appointment necessary.

#communitywellbeingprogramme

The NEN North Edinburgh News

Royston Wardieburn Community Centre

Granton:hub

Granton Library

Scottish contemporary dance headlines prestigious international showcase

Katherina Radeva’s life-affirming performance piece, 40/40, has been specially selected to showcase at the world’s most prestigious international contemporary dance industry gathering, internationale tanzmesse nrw, taking place in Dusseldorf from 28 – 31 August.

The critically acclaimed 40/40 from Two Destination Language (a collaboration between Katherina & Alister Lownie) is one of a small number of full-length, tour-ready productions invited from across the world (and the only one from the UK from 900 proposals) for the event’s revered Performance programme.

Designed to showcase the latest ‘originality of movement and choreographic practice, relevant topics and aesthetics, a wide geographic spread, and a diversity of backgrounds’, the Programme is keenly anticipated by international artists, promoters and programmers.

Described as ‘dancing joy in defiance of convention’, in 40/40, Katherina celebrates her 40 years as a woman, a migrant and an artist.

Katherina says: “The production is the result of 40 years of joy, migrancy and hardship, laughter and tears, super tunes and super moves.”

Audiences are invited to ‘join the middle-aged woman revolution by dancing, claiming and reclaiming the beautiful, glorious and messy complexities of womanhood. From the little girl dancing at her parents’ student parties, to the teenage rhythm gymnast who was body-shamed, to the creative who refuses to be categorised, 40/40 comprises all the joys and sorrows of 40 years.’

Katherina added: “40/40 is a work which pushes at so many boundaries with humour and joy and for us it is a real privilege to be a part of the current dialogues and critical thinking in dance.”

40/40 received research and development funding from The National Lottery through Creative Scotland and support from Tramway Glasgow and Dance Base Scotland.

Alongside 40/40, Scotland-based artist, Dr Aby Watson has been selected to present their work Back and Forth and Forth and Back – a new work in development as part of the event’s Insights programme.

Commissioned by Unlimited, with funding from Creative Scotland and support from The Work Room, The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and Level Centre, Aby’s emerging piece is an immersive, experimental choreography of rhythm, repetition and sensorial play that centres neurodivergent adult audiences, with the performance embodying Aby’s innovative practice research in neuroqueer choreography.

Ahead of the gathering, Aby says: “I hope to connect with delegates who share my values with radical access and inclusion, and make connections with producers, venues, festivals, and other artists to support the development of my work, whilst experiencing exciting international dance work to nourish myself creatively.”

In addition to the artists who will be performing, The Work Room (supported by The National Lottery through Creative Scotland) is supporting a delegation of independent dance artists and choreographers from across Scotland to attend including Mark Bleakley, Mele Broomes, Salma Faraji, Bridie Gane, Dorine Mugisha, Skye Reynolds and Kathryn Spence.

For full information about our delegates, take a look at our dedicated Tanzmesse 2024 webpages on the Creative Scotland website.

Anita Clark, Director at The Work Room said: “International collaboration and exchange expands our perspective and understanding.

“Through the Dance from Scotland presence at International Tanzmesse nrw 2024, dance artists from Scotland will have the opportunity to meet with peers from across the world and develop vital international connections to further their work.”

Paul Burns, Interim Director of Arts at Creative Scotland said: “We are excited to be spotlighting the incredible talents of Scottish artists at this most important of international platforms for contemporary dance and performance.

“Scotland rightly has a strong reputation for both showcasing and creating world-class dance, with Scottish companies regularly touring the globe, or welcoming exceptional international artists to our shores.

“The event has an unparalleled potential to support delegations from Scotland to develop their networks and unlock a range of international opportunities.”

Missing girl: Have you seen Julia?

POLICE are continuing to appeal for information as to the whereabouts of Julia Gradecka, 14 years old, missing from Dalkeith.

She is described as 5’9 and was last seen to be wearing a brown hooded jumper with a large Adidas logo, black leggings, and white Crocs.

Julia has been missing since Tuesday 13 August and concerns are growing for her.

She is believed to be in the West Lothian area and may have recently visited Livingston. She is also known to frequent Bellshill and Edinburgh.

If you have any information, please call 101 and quote Incident 3818 of 13 August, 2024.

Festival of Politics starts today

DAY ONE EVENTS AT SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT

Building Community Wealth in North Edinburgh

PLANNING SESSION – THURSDAY 22 AUGUST

9.30am – 12pm at WEST PILTON NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE

For further information email: Evelyn@northedinburgharts.co.uk

Lammy: ‘It’s never too late for peace in the Middle East’

‘we must break the cycle of violence’

David Lammy and his French counterpart Stéphane Séjourné write for The Observer on how a ceasefire could enable progress towards a two-state solution – the only long-term route to safety and security:

This is a perilous moment in the Middle East. Israel’s actions in Gaza continue to lead to intolerable loss of civilian life. Hostages taken by Hamas terrorists remain in chains, 316 days since the 7 October attack. There are French and British citizens among them.

Fighting between Israel and Lebanese Hezbollah has intensified. Iranian threats of further escalation mean the risks of a full-scale regional war are rising.

What we are witnessing is a destructive cycle of violence. One miscalculation, and the situation risks spiralling into an even deeper and more intractable conflict. This cycle, with its tendency towards escalation, is making progress towards a political solution harder.

Our response is to reconnect – using the joint strengths of our diplomacy to press a common message. We, the foreign ministers of France and the United Kingdom, travelled together last week to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

By making the first joint visit by a British and French foreign minister for well over a decade, we are showing our commitment to working ever more closely together in a new spirit of cooperation, in the interests of our national security, Europe’s security and the Middle East’s security.

Our countries have a strong record of working together to tackle today’s challenges and, 80 years on from the D-day landings and the liberation of France, we must continue to exercise global leadership in an era of renewed geopolitical instability.

The UK and France are united behind a common set of messages which we delivered to Israelis and Palestinians, including in meetings with Israel’s foreign minister, Israel Katz, and the Palestinian Authority’s prime minister, Mohammad Mustafa.

As UN security council permanent members, we share not only a common interest, but a common responsibility to play our part in the security of Israel, the Occupied Palestinian Territories and the stability of the region as a whole.

All sides should focus on the recently restarted negotiations on a ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza. These talks offer a vital opportunity to secure an immediate ceasefire that ends the horrendous conflict in Gaza. A route to securing the release of all the hostages still cruelly held by Hamas. And a pathway to restoring stability to a region already under immense suffering and facing the prospect of far worse.

Our visit to a Palestine Red Crescent Society warehouse was a stark reminder of the toll of this conflict, which is unacceptable. Without progress towards a ceasefire, this will only worsen. Brave healthcare workers across humanitarian organisations are racing to prevent an all-out polio outbreak but they can only start vaccinating if it’s safe to do so.

It’s never too late for peace. An all-out conflict across the region is in nobody’s interests. All parties need to show restraint and invest in diplomacy. Any Iranian attack would have devastating consequences, not least in undermining current Gaza ceasefire negotiations.

The UK and France are not alone in highlighting the urgency of diplomacy to avoid further conflict. Both of us have talked to counterparts across the region and beyond, who share our desire to see a de-escalation in the current tensions. American, Egyptian and Qatari mediators are playing a particularly valuable role in coordinating the negotiations on a ceasefire and hostage deal.

And our engagement reinforces our conviction that urgently securing such a deal is in the interests of Israelis, Palestinians and the wider region. Only a deal can relieve civilian suffering. Only a deal can restore communities’ sense of security. Only a deal can open up the space for progress towards a two-state solution – the only long-term route to safety, security and dignity for Israelis and Palestinians alike.

There can be no delays or excuses. We must all come together. Reconnect in the interests of peace.

Only a political solution can deliver the peace we so desperately need. That’s why we want not just a ceasefire in Gaza but why we are urging Israel, Hezbollah and Lebanon to engage with the US-led discussions to resolve their tensions diplomatically, based on the principles set out by UN security council resolution 1701.

Lammy has been criticised for removing a yellow pin badge expressing solidarity with Israeli hostages when meeting the Palestinian prime minister.

The Foreign Secretary and Stephane Sejourne, his French counterpart, wore the symbols on their suits as they met with Israel Katz, the foreign minister of Israel, on Friday.

More funding to support residential rehabilitation placements

New initiatives to increase access to residential rehabilitation across Scotland which will be able to support more than 100 residential rehab placements have been introduced.

Local Alcohol and Drug Partnerships (ADPs) that are experiencing high demand will be able to access extra funding from the new £2 million Scottish Government Residential Rehabilitation Additional Placement Fund (APF).

In addition, a national online service directory will also provide an up-to-date nationwide list of residential rehabilitation providers for the first time.

Drugs and Alcohol Policy Minister Christina McKelvie said: “A recent PHS publication found we are on track to meet our commitment of 1,000 people receiving public funding for residential rehab but we want to do more and we are working hard to remove potential barriers to people accessing it.

“Those working in ADPs have helped design this approach, which complements a range of other residential rehabilitation projects supported by the Scottish Government.

“This demand-led fund will allow ADPs that need the greatest number of placements to draw down on additional funding for these when they need it – helping ensure funding is targeted at those areas which face the biggest challenges in meeting demand and where help is needed the most.

“The online directory of providers will also make it easier for people to access placements. It will help professionals in the sector as well as empowering individuals and their loved ones to access quality residential rehabilitation and identify the service best placed to support them.”

The rehab.scot site contains an up-to-date list of accredited participating residential rehabilitation providers across the country, as well as associated support services, guidance on accessing rehab and a section on lived-experience rehab journeys.

The fund will be delivered by third-sector partners Scotland Excel.

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